What Precious Metals Can I Place In My Gold IRA?

You have been following the markets for quite some time. You're thinking about retirement planning, but at the same time wondering what investment is best for protecting your future. After doing some research you decide to go with a physical precious metals investment by executing a 401K rollover into a gold IRA. Now you must decide which precious metals are right for your gold IRA portfolio and determine whether or not they are permitted. A Gold IRA can also be referred to as a Self Directed IRA, Gold 401K, and a Roth IRA.

Prior to 1997, rules and regulations permitted only American Gold and Silver Eagles to be placed within a Gold IRA. However, the passage of the Tax Payer Relief Act of 1997 made it possible to diversify a gold 401k amongst many different precious metals. Current regulations now permit the placement of gold bullion coins and bars, silver bullion coins and bars, as well as platinum and palladium in Gold IRA portfolios.

One very popular IRA gold investment is the American Eagle Gold bullion coin. This particular coin was first introduced to America in 1986 to compete with the Canadian Maple Leaf, another gold bullion coin that is permissible in a gold 401K. The Austrian Philharmonic, American Buffalo, and Australian Kangaroo gold coins are also permissible investments.

Restricted IRA gold investments include the Krugerrand, Mexican 50 Peso gold bullion coin, as well as rare coins such as the liberty head, Saint Gaudens, Swiss Franc, and British Sovereign to name but a few.

Having outperformed all other precious metals investments in 2010, silver investing is more popular than ever. American Eagle Silver Bullion coins, the Australian Kookaburra, Austrian Vienna Philharmonic, Canadian Maple Leaf, and Mexican Libertad silver bullion coin are all permissible in a Self Directed IRA.

Silver bars and privately minted silver rounds that are produced by manufacturers accredited by the NYSE or Comex are also permissible investments.

Finally we have platinum and Palladium. Permissible Platinum investments include the American Eagle platinum coin, the Australian Koala, Canadian Maple Leaf, and Isle of Man Noble platinum coin. Palladium investments include those bars and coins that are produced by a national mint.

The Self Directed IRA or Gold IRA is a powerful tool for diversifying your investment portfolio and protecting your future. It can be setup with ease as long as your current 401K meets certain requirements.